Nikkomycin derivatives, antimycotic compositions of nikkomycin derivatives and azole antimycotics

ABSTRACT

Nikkomycin derivatives have been found to be orally or parenterally effective as anti-fungals in animals. They may be used alone or, preferably, in combination with azole antimycotics for a synergistic anti-fungal effect.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Ser. No. 07-118,078, filed Nov. 9, 1988 by the same applicants and entitled "Antimycotic Compositions of Nikkomycyn Compounds and Azole Antimycotics".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The invention is related to nikkomycin derivatives, antimycotic compositions containing nikkomycin derivatives, antimycotic compositions comprising fungicidally effective amounts of a nikkomycin derivative and an azole antimycotic, the preparation of such compositions and the methods of treating infections of fungi by administering therapeutically effective amounts of such compositions.

2. Prior Art:

Compound inhibitory to the synthesis of fungal cell wall material (synthase inhibitors) have been reported recently to have demonstrable effects against fungi of agricultural importance (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,315,922 and 4,158,608; see also U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,585,761 and 4,552,954 for descriptions of the preparation and purification of such compounds). The agents mentioned in the cited patents, nikkomycins, together with similar agents known as polyoxins, are known to act by interfering with the synthesis of chitin in the cell walls of fungi. Because fungi of medical importance to humans also have varying amounts of chitin in their cell walls, experiments have been conducted to determine if the chitin synthase inhibitors are capable of inhibiting the growth of such fungi (Hector and Pappagianis, J. Bacteriol. 154:488-498, 1983, and Hector and Braun, Antimicrobial Agents Chemother, 29:389-394, (1986). In earlier work, certain fungi such as Candida albicans were reported to be insensitive to chitin synthase inhibitors (see Naider et al, Antimicrobial Agents Chemother, 24:787-796, 1983). Subsequently, C. albicans was found to be more sensitive to nikkomycins than polyoxins (see Yadan et al, J. Bacteriol. 160:884-888, 1984).

Quite surprisingly, it was now found that nikkomycin derivatives in combination with antimycotically active azoles are efficacious in treating fungal infections in human and non-human animals, especially by parenteral but also oral application and administration.

As shown in synergy studies the achieved antifungal effect is also a synergistic effect based on combining the nikkomycin derivatives with antimycotic azoles.

Accordingly, the invention is related to new nikkomycin derivatives and antimycotic compositions comprising a fungicidally effective amount of a nikkomycin derivative and an azole antimycotic.

The nikkomycin derivatives of the invention are represented by the general formulae (N) ##STR1## wherein R_(n) represents ##STR2##

(a) R_(w) denotes H or --CH₂ --X, wherein X is H, alkyl, preferably C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, aryl, preferably C₆ -C₁₈ -aryl, aralkyl, preferably C₆ -C₁₂ -aryl-C₁ -C₆ -alkyl or any other saturated or unsaturated organic radical and R_(y) denotes --CH₂ --X, wherein X has the aforementioned meaning;

(b) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) denotes ##STR3## wherein X' is any saturated or unsaturated organic radical, especially a radical derived from a natural amino acid;

(c) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) denotes a radical ##STR4## wherein X has the meaning mentioned under (a) and (b) hereinbefore and wherein X' has the meaning of the natural amino acids Gly, Val, Leu, Ile, Ser, Asp, Asn, Glu, His, Gys, Met and Phe or ##STR5## wherein --X" represents --H, --Cl, --F, --NO₂, --NH₂, --OCH₃, CH₃

--X"' represents --Cl, --F, --NO₂, --NH₂, --OCH₃, --CH₃,

--X"" represents --H, --Cl, --F, --NO₂, --NH₂, --OCH₃, --CH₃, ##STR6##

(d) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) has the meaning of ##STR7## wherein

(a') R_(n) ' denotes H or --CH₂ --X and R_(v) ' denotes --CH₂ -- X, wherein X has the meaning mentioned under (a) hereinabove;

(b') R_(n) ' represents H and R_(v) ' means ##STR8## wherein X' has the meaning mentioned under (b) hereinabove;

(c') R_(n) ' denotes H and R_(v) ' represents ##STR9## wherein X and X' have the meaning given under (a) and (b) hereinabove or ##STR10## wherein R_(n) represents ##STR11##

(a) R_(w) denotes H or --CH₂ --X, wherein X is H, alkyl, preferably C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, aryl, preferably C₆ -C₁₈ -aryl, aralkyl, preferably C₆ -C₁₂ -aryl-C₁ -C₆ -alkyl or any other saturated or unsaturated organic radical and R_(y) denotes --CH₂ --X, wherein X has the aforementioned meaning;

(b) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) denotes ##STR12## wherein X' is any saturated or unsaturated organic radical, especially a radical derived from a natural amino acid;

(c) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) denotes a radical ##STR13## wherein X and X' have the meaning mentioned under (a) and (b) hereinbefore with the proviso that X' has not the meaning ##STR14##

(d) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) has the meaning of ##STR15## wherein

(a') R_(n) ' denotes H or --CH₂ --X and R_(v) ' denotes --CH₂ --X, wherein X has the meaning mentioned under (a) hereinabove;

(b') R_(n) ' represents H and R_(v) ' means ##STR16## wherein X' has the meaning mentioned under (b) hereinabove;

(c') R_(n) ' denotes H and R_(v) ' represents ##STR17## wherein X and X' have the meaning given under (a) and (b) hereinabove or ##STR18## wherein R_(n) represents ##STR19##

(a) R_(w) denotes H or --CH₂ --X, wherein X is H, alkyl, preferably C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, aryl, preferably C₆ -C₁₈ -aryl, aralkyl, preferably C₆ -C₁₂ -aryl-C₁ C₆ -alkyl or any other saturated or unsaturated organic radical and R_(y) denotes --CH₂ --X, wherein X has the aformentioned meaning;

(b) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) denotes ##STR20## wherein X' is any saturated or unsaturated organic radical, especially a radical derived from a natural amino acid;

(c) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) denotes a radical ##STR21## wherein X and X' have the meaning mentioned under (a) and (b) hereinbefore;

(d) R_(w) denotes H and R_(y) has the meaning of ##STR22## wherein

(a') R_(n) ' and R_(v) ' denote H;

(b') R_(n) ' denotes H or --CH₂ --X and R_(v) ' denotes --CH₂ --X, wherein X has the meaning mentioned under (a) hereinabove;

(c') R_(n) ' represents H and R_(v) ' means ##STR23## wherein X' has the meaning mentioned under (b) hereinabove;

(d') R_(n) ' denotes H and R_(v) ' represents ##STR24## wherein X and X' have the meaning given under (a) and (b) hereinabove.

If X' is an organic radical than preferrably a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic radical, such as C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl or a substitued or unsubstituted aromatic radical with 6 to 12 C-atoms or a heterocyclic radical, especially of the group consisting of ##STR25##

A preferred object of the present invention are antimycotic compositions containing nikkomycin derivatives and azole antimycotics more specifically described in GB-PS No. 1,351,542, CA-PS No. 225,504, CA-AS No. 946,391, AU-PS No. 542,110, AU-PS No. 551,411, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,301,166, 4,381,306, 4,246,274, 4,238,498, 4,207,328, 3,968,229 and DE-OS No. 3,242,249 which are incorporated into this patent application by reference.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention are antimycotic compositions containing nikkomycin derivatives and azole antimycotics described in the following paragraphs.

(a) Diazolylalkyl-carbinols of the general formula ##STR26## in which

A represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

B represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

X represents hydrogen or alkyl,

Y represents alkyl, or alkenyl, alkinyl or optionally substituted benzyl, if X represents hydrogen, and

R represents optionally substituted phenyl or the grouping ##STR27## wherein Alk¹ represents alkyl and

Alk² represents alkyl, or

Alk¹ and Alk² together represent a cycloaliphatic ring, and

R¹ represents alkyl, alkenyl or in each case optionally substituted phenyl, phenylalkyl, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenoxyalkyl, phenylthioalkyl, benzyloxy or benzylthio,

and physiologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.

The compounds of the formula (I) sometimes have two asymmetric carbon atoms. In this case, they can exist in two geometric isomer forms.

The substituted diazolyalkyl-carbinols of the formula (I) are obtained by a process in which azolyloxiranes of the formula ##STR28## in which B, R, X and Y have the abovementioned meaning, are reacted with azoles of the formula ##STR29## in which A has the abovementioned meaning, in the presence of a diluent and, if appropriate, in the presence of a base.

Preferably, in formula (I)

A represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

B represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

X represents hydrogen or straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 6 carbon atoms,

Y represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or, if X represents hydrogen, also straight-chain or branched alkenyl or alkinyl with in each case 3 to 6 carbon atoms or benzyl with is optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted in the phenyl art by identical or different substituents, substituents which may be mentioned being: halogen, alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy and alkylthio with in each case 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy and halogenoalkylthio with in each case 1 or 2 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 identical or different halogen atoms, such as, preferably, fluorine and chlorine atoms, nitro- and cyano; and

R represents phenyl which is optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted by identical or different substituents, preferred substituents which may be mentioned being: halogen, alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy and alkylthio with in each case 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy and halogenoalkylthio with in each case 1 to 2 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 identical or different halogen atoms, such as, preferably, fluorine and chlorine atoms, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, hydroxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, hydroximinoalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoximinoalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl part and phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl and benzyloxy, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen and/or alkyl with 1 or 2 carbon atoms; or

R preferably represents the grouping ##STR30## wherein Alk¹ represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and

Alk² represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or

Alk¹ and Alk², together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, represent a 3-membered to 7-membered cycloaliphatic ring; and

R¹ represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl with 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or phenyl, phenylalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenoxyalkyl with 1 to 4carbon atoms in the alkyl part, phenyl, thioalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, benzyloxy or benzylthio, each of which is optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted in the phenyl part by identical or different substituents, preferred possible substituents being the substituents on phenyl already mentioned for R.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (I) are those in which

A represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

B represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

X represents hydrogen or straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

Y represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or, if X represents hydrogen, also allyl, methallyl, propargyl, methylpropargyl or benzyl which is optionally mono- or di-substituted in the phenyl part by identical or different substituents, substituents which may be mentioned being: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, methoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, nitro and cyano;

R represents phenyl which is optionally mono- or di-substituted by identical or different substituents, substituents which may be mentioned being: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, methoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyoxy, trifluoromethylthio, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, hydroxycarbonyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, hydroximinomethyl, 1-hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, 1-methoximinoethyl and phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl and benzyloxy, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine or methyl; or

R represents the grouping ##STR31## wherein Alk¹ represents methyl or ethyl; and

Alk² represents methyl or ethyl; or

Alk¹ and Alk², together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, represent cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; and

R¹ represents methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, neopentyl, or phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenoxymethyl, phenoxyethyl, phenylthiomethyl, phenylthioethyl, benzyloxy or benzylthio, each of which is optionally mono- or di-substituted in the phenyl part by identical or different substituents, possible substituents being the substituents on phenyl which have already been mentioned for R.

Addition products of acids and those substituted diazolylalkyl-carbinols of the formula (I) in which the substituents A, B, X, Y and R have the meanings which have already been mentioned as preferred for these substituents are also preferred compounds according to the invention.

Preferred acids which can be added on azoles mentioned under (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) include hydrogen halide acids, such as, for example, hydrochloric acid and hydrobromic acid, in particular hydrochloric acid, and furthermore phosphoric acid, nitric acid, monofunctional and bifunctional carboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as, for example acetic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, salicyclic acid, sorbic acid and lactic acid, and sulphonic acids, such as o-toluenesulphonic acid and 1,5-naphthalenedisulphonic acid.

(b) Substituted 1,3-diazolyl-2-propanols of the general formula ##STR32## in which Alk¹ represents straight-chain or branched alkyl and

Alk² represents straight-chain or branched alkyl, or

Alk¹ and Alk² together represent a cycloaliphatic ring,

X represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

Y represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group and

R represents in each case optionally substituted phenyl, phenylalkyl, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenoxyalkyl, phenylthioalkyl, benzyloxy or benzylthio,

and physiologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.

The substituted 1,3-diazolyl-2-propanols of the formula (I') are obtained by a process in which 2-azolylmethyl-oxiranes of the formula ##STR33## in which Alk¹, Alk², R and X have the abovementioned meaning, are reacted with azoles of the formula ##STR34## in which Y has the abovementioned meaning, in the presence of a diluent and, if appropriate, in the presence of a base.

If appropriate, an acid can then be added onto the compounds of the formula (I') thus obtained.

Moreover, the compounds of the general formula (I') in which R represents in each case optionally substituted phenylthio, phenylthioalkyl or benzylthio can be oxidised to the corresponding SO or SO₂ derivatives in the customary manner.

Formula (I') provides a general definition of substituted 1,3-diazolyl-2-propanols according to this section (b) of the invention. Preferably, in this formula,

Alk¹ represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and

Alk² represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or

Alk¹ and Alk² together represent a 3-membered to 7-membered cycloalkiphatic ring,

X represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group;

Y represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group; and

R represents phenyl, phenylalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenoxyalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, phenylthioalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, benzyloxy or benzylthio, each of which is optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted in the phenyl part by identical or different substituents, preferred substituents which may be mentioned being: halogen, alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy and alkylthio with in each case 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy and halogenoalkylthio with in each case 1 or 2 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 identical or different halogen atoms, such as, preferably, fluorine and chlorine atoms, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, hydroxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, alkoximinoalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl part, and phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl and benzyloxy, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen and/or alkyl with 1 or 2 carbon atoms.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (I') are those in which

Alk¹ represents methyl or ethyl; and

Alk² represents methyl or ethyl; or

Alk¹ and Alk², together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, represent cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl,

X represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group;

Y represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group; and

R represents phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenoxymethyl, phenoxyethyl, phenylthiomethyl, phenylthioethyl, benzyloxy or benzylthio, each of which is optionally mono- or di- substituted in the phenyl part by identical or different substituents, substituents which may be mentioned being: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, methoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, hydroxycarbonyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, hydroximinoethyl, 1-hydroximinoethyl, methoximinomethyl, 1-methoximinoethyl, and phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl and benzyloxy, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine or methyl.

Addition products of acids and those substitued 1,3-diazolyl-2-propanols of the formula (I') in which the substituents Alk¹, Alk², X, Y and R have the meanings which have already been mentioned as preferred for these substituents are also preferred compounds according to the invention.

(c) Substituted azolylcyclopropyl-azolylmethyl-carbinol derivatives of the formula (I") ##STR35## in which Ar represents optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl,

R represents hyydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, trialkylsilyl, optionally substituted phenylalkyl or the acyl radical,

X represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group, and

Y represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

and their acid addition salts have good anitimicrobial, in particular antimycotic, properties when used according to this invention.

The substituted azolylcyclopropyl-azolylmethylcarbinol derivatives of the formula (I") which are to be used according to the invention show a good spectrum of action in certain areas of indication.

The substituted azolylcyclopropyl-azolylmethylcarbinol derivatives are generally defined by formula (I"). In this formula,

Ar preferably represents phenyl which optionally has one or several, identical or different, substituents, the substituents which may be mentioned as being preferred being: halogen; alkyl, alkoxy and alkylthio each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy and halogenoalkylthio each having 1 to 2 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 identical or different halogen atoms, such as fluorine and chlorine atoms; as well as phenyl or phenoxy each of which is optionally substituted by alkyl having 1 or 2 carbon atoms and/or halogen; and furthermore represents napthyl and a 5- to 6-membered heteroaromatic which optionally has one or several identical or different, substituents and nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur as the heteroatoms, the suitable substituents which are preferred being the abovementioned phenyl substituents;

R preferably represents hydrogen, straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight-chain or branched alkenyl and alkinyl each having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, trialkylsilyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, alkylcarbonyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, and represents phenylalkyl which optionally has one or several, identical or different, substituents, with 1 to 2 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, the suitable substituents which are preferring being the phenyl substituents already mentioned for Ar; and

X and Y represent the meanings given in the definition of the invention.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (I") are those in which

Ar represents phenyl which optionally has one to three, in particular one or two, identical or different substituents, the substituents which may be mentioned being: fluorine, chlorine, methyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, methoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, and phenyl or phenoxy each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine and/or methyl; furthermore represents naphthyl and represents furyl, thienyl, pyridinyl or pyrimidinyl, each of which optionally has one or two, identical or different, substiutents suitable substituents being the abovementioned phenyl substituents;

R¹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, allyl, propargyl, trimethylsilyl, methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, n-propylcarbonyl, isopropylcarbonyl, n-butylcarbonyl, isobutylcarbonyl, and represents benzyl which optionally has one to three, in particular one or two, identical or different substituents, suitable substituents which are preferred being the phenyl substituents already mentioned for Ar; and X and Y represent the meanings given in the definition of the invention.

Preferred compounds according to this section of the invention are also addition products of acids and those substituted azolylcyclopropyl-azolylmethylcarbinol derivatives of the formula (I") in which Ar, R, X and Y have the meanings which have already when mentioned as preferred for these radicals.

(d) Substituted azolylmethyl-cyclopropyl-carbinol derivatives of the formula (I"') ##STR36## in which

Ar represents optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl,

R¹ represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, trialkylsilyl, optionally substituted phenylalkyl or the acyl radical,

R² represents halogen, cyano, thiocyano, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylthio or the groups --X--R³ and --NR⁴ R⁵, as well as hydrogen when Ar represents optionally substitued heteroaryl,

R³ represents alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, or the radical of the formula ##STR37##

R⁴ and R⁵ are identical or different and represent hydrogen or alkyl and, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, represent an optionally substituted cycloaliphatic ring which optionally contains other heteroatoms,

X represents oxygen, sulphur, the SO or SO₂ group, and

Y represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group, and their acid addition salts, have good antimycotic properties.

The substituted azolylmethyl-cyclopropyl-carbinol derivatives of the formula (I"') which are to be used according to this section of invention show a good spectrum of action in certain areas of indication.

The substituted azolylmethyl-cyclopropyl-carbinol derivatives according to the invention are generally defined by formula (I"'). In this formula,

Ar preferably represents phenyl which optionally has one or several, identical or different, substituents, the substituents which may be mentioned as being preferred being: halogen, alkyl, alkoxy and alkylthio each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy and halogenoalkylthio each having 1 to 2 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 identical or different halogen atoms, such as fluorine and chlorine atoms; as well as phenyl or phenoxy each of which is optionally substituted by alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms and/or halogen; and furthermore represents naphthyl and a 5- to 6-membered heteroaromatic which optionally has one several, identical or different, substituents and nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur as the heteroatoms, the suitable substituents which are preferred being the above mentioned phenyl substituents;

R¹ preferably represents hydrogen, straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, straight-chain or branched alkenyl and alkinyl, each having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, trialkylsilyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl part, alkylcarbonyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, and phenylalkyl which has one or two carbon atoms in the alkyl part and is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, preferred substituents being the phenyl substituents already mentioned for Ar,

R² preferably represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, thiocyano, alkylcarbonyloxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, alkylcarbonylthio having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, or the groupings --X--R³ and --NR⁴ R⁵,

wherein

R³ preferably represents straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, straight-chain or branched alkinyl having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkylthioalkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkylthio part and 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, carboxyalkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, alkoxycarbonylalkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkoxy part and 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, and phenyl or phenylalkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, each of which is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, preferred substitutents in each case being the phenyl substituents mentioned as being preferred for Ar, or

R³ represents the radical of the formula ##STR38##

R⁴ and R⁵ independently or one another preferably represent hydrogen or straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or

R⁴ and R⁵, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, preferably represent a 5-membered or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted by alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkylcarbonyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, and can contain oxygen, sulphur and/or nitrogen as further heteroatoms, and

X preferably represents hydrogen when Ar represents an optionally substituted 5-membered or 6-membered heteroaromatic, and

Y preferably represents nitrogen or a CH group.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (I"') are those in which

Ar represents phenyl which is optionally monosubstituted or trisubstituted, in particular monosubstituted or disubstituted, by identical or different substituents, the following being mentioned as substituents: fluorine, chlorine, methyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, methoxy, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, thrifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, and phenyl or phenoxy, each of which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine and/or methyl; and furthermore represents naphthyl, and represents furyl, thienyl, pyridinyl or pyrimidinyl, each of which is optionally monosubstituted or disubstituted by identical or different substituents, suitable substituents being the above mentioned phenyl substituents;

R² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, allyl, propargyl, trimethylsilyl, methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, n-propyl-carbonyl, isopropylcarbonyl, n-butylcarbonyl, isobutylcarbonyl, and benzyl which is optionally monosubstituted or disubstituted, in particular monosubstituted or disubstituted, by identical or different substituents, preferred substituents being the phenyl substituents already mentioned as being preferred for Ar,

R² represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, thiocyano, methylcarbonyloxy, ethylcarbonyloxy, n-propylcarbonyloxy, isopropylcarbonyloxy, n-butylcarbonyloxy, isobutylcarbonyloxy, methylcarbonylthio, ehtylcarbonylthio, n-propylcarbonylthio, isopropylcarbonylthio, n-butylcarbonylthio, isobutylcarbonylthio or the groupings --R--R³ or --NR⁴ R⁵,

wherein

R³ represents straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having 5 to 7 carbon atoms, straight-chain or branched alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, striaght-chain or branched alkinyl having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkylthioalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylthio part and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part; carboxyalkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, alkoxycarbonylalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy part and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, and phenyl or benzyl, each of which is optionally monosubstituted to trisubstituted, in particular monosubstituted to trisubstituted, in particular monosubstituted or disubstituted, by identical or different substituents already mentioned above for Ar as being particularly preferred, or

R³ represents the radical of the formula ##STR39##

R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or isobutyl, or

R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, represent piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl each of which is optionally substituted by methyl, ethyl, methylcarbonyl or ethylcarbonyl, and

X represents oxygen, sulphur, an SO group or an SO₂ group, and furthermore

R² also represents hydrogen when Ar represents one of the above mentioned optionally substituted heteroaromatics, and

Y represents nitrogen or a CH group, other preferred compounds according to the invention are addition products of acids and these substituted azolylmethyl-cyclopropyl-carbinol derivatives of the formula (I"') in which Ar, R¹, R² and Y have the meanings which have already been mentioned as being preferred for these radicals.

The substituted azolylmethyl-cyclopropyl-carbinol derivatives which are to be used according to this section of the invention and their acid addition salts have not yet been described. They can be obtained in a generally known manner.

(d) Hydroxyethyl-azole derivatives of the general formula ##STR40## in which

R¹ represents alkyl or the grouping Ar--Y--,

Ar represents optionally substituted aryl,

Y represents a direct bond or the gorupings --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --, --OCH₂ --, --SCH₂ --, --CH═CH-- or --C.tbd.C--,

X represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group,

Z represents oxygen or the NOR² group and

R² represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, optionally substituted aralkyl or optionally substituted cycloalkylalkyl, and acid addition salts thereof, have good antimycotic properties for the purpose of the present invention.

The compounds of the formula (I"") have an asymmetric carbon atom and can therefore be obtained in the two optical isomer forms.

The hydroxyethyl-azole derivatives of the formula (I"") to be used according to this section of the invention have a good action spectrum in certain fields of indication.

Formula (I"") provides a general definition of the hydroxyethyl-azole derivatives according to the invention. Preferably, in this formula

R¹ represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the grouping Ar--Y;

Ar represents naphthyl, or phenyl which is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, preferred substituents which may be mentioned being: halogen, alkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy and alkylthio with in each case 1 or 2 carbon atoms, nitro, halogenoalkyl, halogenoalkoxy and halogenoalkylthio with in each case 1 or 2 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 identical or different halogen atoms, such as, preferably, fluorine and chlorine atoms, the --CH═NOR² radical, and phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl and benzyloxy, each of which is optionally substituted by halogen and/or alkyl with 1 or 2 carbon atoms;

X represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group;

Y represents a direct bond or the groupings --CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH₂ --, --OCH₂ --, --CH═CH-- or --C.tbd.C--;

Z represents oxygen or the NOR² group; and

R² represents hydrogen, straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl or alkinyl with in each case 2 to 6 carbon atoms or phenylalkyl which has 1 or 2 carbon atoms in the alkyl part and is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by identical or different substituents, possible substituents on the phenyl being the substituents on phenyl which have already been mentioned in the case of Ar; or represents cycloalkylmethyl which has 5 or 6 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl part and is optionally mono-, di-or trisubstituted by identical or different alkyl radicals with 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (I"") are those in which

R¹ represents straight-chain alkyl with 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the grouping Ar--Y--;

Ar represents naphthyl, or represents phenyl which is optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted by identical or different substituents, substituents which may be mentioned being: fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl and allyloximinomethyl, and phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl and benzyloxy, each of which is optionally substituted by chlorine and/or methyl;

X represents a nitrogen atom or the CH group;

Y represents a direct bond or the groupings --CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH₂ --, --OCH₂ --, --SCH₂ 13 , --CH═CH-- or --C.tbd.CH--; and

Z represents oxygen or the NOR² group, wherein

R² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, allyl or propargyl, or represents benzyl which is optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted by identical or different substituents from the group comprising fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy, or represents cyclohexylmethyl which is optionally substituted by methyl or ethyl.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention are compositions comprising a fungicidally effective amount of a nikkomycin derivative selected from the group consisting of nikkomycins Z_(t), X_(t), B, Bx, C and Cx (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,585,761, 4,315,922, 4,158,608 and 4,046,881) and an antimycotically active and optionally orally applicable azole.

Moreover, antimycotic compositions are preferred comprising an azole antimycotic selected from the group consisting of ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, bifonazole, 1-(4-chlorphenyl)-2-methyl-2-methoximo-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-1-propanol, 1-(4-chlorphenyl)-3,3-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-2-butanol and 4-(fluorphenyl)-(1-methylsulfinyl-1-cyclopropyl)-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-methanol.

The antimycotic compositions according to the invention contain a fungicidally effective amount of a nikkomycin derivative and an azole antimycotic in a ratio of 1:1 to 30:1, preferably 3:1 to 10:1.

Preferred are also antimycotic compositions according to the invention comprising a fungicidally effective amount of a nikkomycin derivative and an azole antimycotic selected from the group consisting of ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, bifonazole, 1-(4-chlorphenyl)-2-methyl-2-methoximo-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl-1-propanol, 1-(4-chlorphenyl)-3,3-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-2-butanol and 4-(fluorphenyl)-(1-methylsulfinyl-1-cyclopropyl)-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-methanol and, moreover, the antimycotic compositions comprising a fungicidally effective amount of nikkomycin Z and 1(4-chlorphenyl)-2-methyl-2-methoximomethyl 1-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl-methyl-1-propanol, 1-(4-chlorphenyl)-3,3-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-2-butanol and/or 4-(fluorphenyl)-(1-methylsulfinyl-1-cyclopropyl)-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-methanol.

A further embodiment of the invention are nikkomycins in combination with antimycotically active and optionally orally applicable azoles for use in a method for therapeutical treatment of the human or animal body infected with fungi.

The invention is also related to the use of nikkomycin derivatives in combination with antimycotically active and optionally orally applicable azoles for the preparation of antimycotically active pharmaceutical compositions and to a process for the preparation of antimycotically active pharmaceutical compositions comprising mixing a combination of a fungicidally effective amount of a nikkomycin derivative and an azole derivative with a solid or liquid diluent and/or carrier or other auxiliaries useful for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions, said nikkomycin derivative and azole derivative preferably being present in a ratio of 1:1 to 30:1.

Finally, the invention is also related to a method of treating human or non-human animals infected with fungi, the method comprising administering to the human or non-human animal therapeutically effective amounts of a nikkomycin derivative and an azole antimycotic.

More specifically the invention is related to a method comprising administering to the human or non-human animal of from 1 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kg, preferably 10 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day of a nikkomycin derivative and an azole antimycotic of the above identified type. The method comprising administering the nikkomycin and the azole in a ratio of 1:1 to 30:1 is also preferred.

Preferably the compositions according to the invention are orally administered, buy may be administered parenterally or via the inhalation of an aerosilized preparation.

Experimental part for nikkomycin derivatives and analogues N-alkylation of nikkomycin Z with aldehydes and ketones (Table 1, General Procedure)

10 mmol of nikkomycin Z are dissolved in 100 ml of an H₂ O/methanol mixture and 50-100 mmol of the aldehyde or ketone dissolved in 20 ml of methanol are added. After stirring for 30 min. 10-15 mmol of NaBH₃ CN are added to the reaction mixture.

The mixture is stirred overnight (TLC control) until the reaction is complete. The excess NaBH₃ CN is eliminated by adding glacial acetic acid. The mixture is concentrated to dryness by evaporation and triturated with ether. The powdery product is chromatographed on LH-20 (ethanol/H₂ O=1:1). In many cases the mono- and dialkylation products are produced concomitantly in the reaction with aldehydes. They are separated from each other by chromatography.

N-Alkylation of nikkomycin Z with α-amino aldehydes (Table 2)

The procedure is analogous to the N-alkylation of nikkomycin C_(Z) with α-amino aldehydes (Table 6).

10 mmol of nikkomycin Z and 10 mmol of N-BOC-D/L-αaminooctanal are dissloved (partly suspended) in 150 ml of methanol and 15 mmol of NaBH₃ CN are added. By adding acetic acid the pH value is adjusted to pH 6-7.

The solution is filtered free of unreacted nikkomycin Z, concentrated by evaporating and chromatographed on LH-20 (ethanol/H₂ O=1:1).

The BOC protecting group is cleaved off in 30 ml of TFA/CH₂ Cl₂ (1:1) at 0° C. over a period of 2 hours. The product is chromatographed once again on LH-20 (H₂ O/acetol=99.9:0.1).

Yield after chromatography: 33%.

N-acylation of nikkomycin Z with α-amino acid reactive esters (Table 3, example) L-phenylalanine-nikkomycin Z

10 mmol of nikkomycin Z (=4.95 g) are dissolved in 50 ml of a DMF/H₂ O mixture and 1.38 ml of triethylamine are added while cooling with ice (protection of the carboxyl group by a salt).

Then 11 mmol (=6.26 g) of N-BOC-L-phenylalanine-ONP-ester n 5 ml of DMF and 1.38 g of hydroxybenztriazole are added. TLC control on celluslose using n-propanol/H₂ O/acetic acid=60:40:0.5 or 80:20:0.5.

The mixture is stirred overnight. After the reaction is complete the DMF/H₂ O mixture is stripped off under a high vacuum and the sample is dried (under a high vacuum). It is taken up in water and extracted first with ether and then with ethyl acetate in order to substantially remove residual DMF, hydroxybenztriazole and nitrophenol (pH kept at between 6-7). Then the aqueous phase is concentrated by evaporation and dried under a high vacuum.

To cleave the BOC protecting group from the tripeptide the product is dissolved in CH₂ Cl₂ /TFA=1:1 while cooling with ice and the solution is allowed to reach room temperature (TLC control). When the cleavage is complete the mixture is concentrated by evaporation, the remaining TFA is removed azeotropically with toluene and the product is dried under a high vacuum.

The product is chromatographed on LH-20 with ethanol/H₂ O/ethanol/H₂ O/acetic acid=50:50:0.1 (twice). 1.65 g of a ¹ H-NMR-pure tripeptide are obtained (yield: 25.7%).

Identification: ¹ H-NMR.

N-acylation of nikkomycin Z with reactive esters (Table 4, example)

The procedure is similar to the N-acylation of nikkomycin Z with α-amino acid reactive sters.

10 mmol of nikkomycin Z are dissolved in 50 ml of a DMF/H₂ O mixture and 1.38 ml of triethylamine are added while cooling with ice. Then 11 mmol of palmitic acid ONP ester and 1.38 g hydroxybenztriazole are added. The yield following chromatography on LH-20 (mobile solvent:ethanol) is 41%.

N-acylation of nikkomycin C_(Z) with α-amino acid reactive esters (Table 5, example) p-Methoxy-D/L phenylglycine C_(Z)

10 mmol of nikkomycin C_(z) (2.87 g) are dissolved in 20 ml of a DMF/H₂ O mixture and 1.38 mol of triethylamine are added while cooling with ice (protection of the carbonyl group by a salt). Then 10 mmol (4.02 g) of N-BOC-D/L-phenylglycine ONP ester in 5 mol of DMF and 1.35 g of hydroxybenztriazole are added.

Partially precipitated components dissolve on stirring the mixture overnight.

TLC control on cellulose using n-propanol/H₂ O/acetic acid=60:40:0.5 or 80:20:0.5.

When the reaction is complete (pH kept at between 6-7) the DMF/H₂ O mixture is stripped off and the sample dried under a high vacuum. The product is worked up and TFA cleaved off following the same procedure as the for N-acylation of Nikkomycin Z with α-amino acid reactive esters.

The product is chromatographed on LH-20 using ethanol/H₂ O/acetic acid=50:50:0.1.

Yield: Fractions 72-85 1.1 g (slightly contaminated) 86-105 2.5 g=79% total yield.

Identification: ¹ H-NMR.

N-Alkylation of Nikkomycin C₂ -with α-aminoaldehydes (Table 6, example) N-BOC-homo phenylalaninal

2.93 g of N-BOC homo phenylalanine methyl ester (10 mmol) are dissolved in 25 ml of absolute toluene under nitrogen and the solution is cooled to -80° C. 20 ml of -20% strength DIBA in toluene are added dropwise and the temperature maintained. Since the reaction was not complete after 1.5 h a further 3 ml of 20% strength DIBA were added.

Working up

After 1 ml of methanol has been added the reaction mixture is added to 10 ml of a saturated potassium sodium tartrate solution of 60 ml of H₂ O (0° C.). After stirring a gelatinous precipitate forms. It is filtered off and washed with ether. The product is extracted from the aqueous phase quantitatively, using ether. The combined ether and toluene phases are dried over Na₂ SO₄ and concentrated by evaporation. An oil is obtained which is separated by means of a small silica gel column using pentane/ethyl acetate (85/15).

Yield: 60.8%.

TLC/silica gel: Rf=0.78 (ester), RF=0.68 (aldehyde), CHCl₃ /methanol (9/1); spray reagent: DNP/ethanol.

Identification: ¹ H-NMR (ppm) 9.42 (1H, CHO); 7.25 (5H, m, Aryl); 5.2 (1H,br, BOCNH); 4.18 (1H,br.m, NH--CH--CHO); 2.7 (2H,br.m, --CH₂ --); 2.0 (2H,br.m, --CH₂ --); 1.43 (9H, s, (CH₃)₃ --C).

Coupling of nikkomycin C_(Z) with N-BOC-homo phenylalaninal

2 g of nikkomycin C_(Z) (7 mmol) are dissolved in 70 ml of methanol at room temperature and 2.2 g of N-BOC-homo phenylalaninal in 30 ml of methanol are added dropwise. After stirring for 15 min. 441 mg of NaBH₃ CN are added. After stirring overnight the reaction was complete (TLC control). The excess NaBH₃ CN is decomposed with acetic acid. After concentrating the mixture by evaporation the residue is triturated with ether.

After cleaving off the BOC group with CH₂ Cl₂ /TFA at 0° C.→RT (TLC control) the product is chromatographed on Sephadex LH-20 using ethanol/H₂ O/acetic acid (50/50/0.1). The coupling product is obtained in an 80% yield.

TLC/silica gel: propanol/H₂ O/acetic acid (80/20/0.5).

Identification: ¹ H-NMR

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 H shifts of the diastereomer mixture in D.sub.2 O                       H-atoms (ppm)         H-atoms    (ppm)                                         ______________________________________                                         aromat. H                                                                              7.16-7.34     2H on C-1  3.318                                         olef.H  7.606;7.598   1H on C-2  3.598                                                                          (broadened)                                   olef.H  5.823;5.813   2H on C-3  2.015                                         H on C-1'                                                                              5.756 (broadened)                                                                            2H on C-4  2.723                                         H on C-2'                                                                              4.266;4.251                                                            H on C-3'                                                                              4.523;4.498                                                            H on C-4'                                                                              3.965;3.911                                                            H on C-5'                                                                              4.330;4.311                                                            ______________________________________                                    

The synthesis in the case where R=CH₂ phenyl was carried out by the same procedure.

N-alkylation of nikkomycin C_(Z) with aldehydes (Table 7, example)

The N-alkylation of nikkomycin C_(Z) is similar to the N-alkylation of nikkomycin Z with α-amino aldehydes.

10 mmol of nikkomycin C_(Z) are dissolved in 200 mol of an H₂ O/methanol mixture and 20 mmol of phosphonoaldehyde disodium salt (Mw: 157) are added. After stirring the mixture for 30 min. 1 g of NaBH₃ CN is added. The pH value of the reaction mixture is kept at pH 5-6 using acetic acid.

The mixture is stirred overnight (TLC control). When the reaction is complete the excess NaBH₃ CN is eliminated by adding glacial acetic acid. The mixture is concentrated to dryness by evaporation. The powdery product is chromatographed on LH-20 (ethanol/H₂ O=1:1).

Yield: 77% (monoalkylation product).

Reduction of nikkomycin X to nikkomycin X alcohol (Table 8)

100 mmol of nikkomycin X are dissolved in 30 ml of acetic acid/H₂ O (1:1). The solution is hydrogenated (6 hours, RT, 3 bar) with 1 g of freshly reduced PO₂ and worked up. It is then chromatographed on LH-20 with water and 0.1% acetic acid.

Yield after chromatography: 45%.

Nikkomycin derivatives according to the invention are specified in the following tables:

                                      TABLE 1a                                     __________________________________________________________________________     N-Alkylation of nikkomycin Z with                                              aldehydes and ketons                                                            ##STR41##                                                                     R.sub.1        R.sub.2        Physical Data                                    __________________________________________________________________________     CH.sub.3       H              Confirmed by                                                                   .sup.1 H-NMR data                                CH.sub.3       CH.sub.3                                                        C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                               C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                 C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                               C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                  ##STR42##     H                                                               C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                               C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                  ##STR43##     H                                                                ##STR44##     H                                                                ##STR45##     H              Confirmed by NMR data                             ##STR46##     H                                                               (CH.sub.2).sub.6CH.sub.3                                                                      H                                                                ##STR47##     H                                                                ##STR48##     H                                                               CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                                                            H                                                               CH.sub.2CHCHCH.sub.3                                                                          H                                                                ##STR49##     H                                                                ##STR50##                                                                                     ##STR51##                                                      (CH.sub.2).sub.11NH.sub.2                                                                     H                                                                ##STR52##     H              Confirmed by NMR data                             ##STR53##     H                                                                ##STR54##     H                                                                ##STR55##                                                                                     ##STR56##                                                       ##STR57##                                                                                     ##STR58##                                                       ##STR59##     H                                                                ##STR60##                                                                                     ##STR61##                                                       ##STR62##     H              Confirmed by NMR data                             ##STR63##                                                                                     ##STR64##                                                      __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         N-Alkylation of nikkomycin Z with α -amino                               aldehydes                                                                       ##STR65##                                                                                      Configuration                                                 R.sub.z          of α-NH.sub.2                                                                       Physical Data                                      ______________________________________                                         H                --         Confirmed by                                                                   .sup.1 H-NMR data                                  CH.sub.3         L                                                              ##STR66##       D/L                                                           C.sub.6 H.sub.13 D/L                                                           (CH.sub.2).sub.4NH.sub.2                                                                        L                                                              ##STR67##       D/L                                                            ##STR68##       D/L                                                           ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         N-Acylation of nikkomycin Z with α -amino                                acid reactive esters                                                            ##STR69##                                                                                      Configuration                                                 R.sub.z          of α-NH.sub.2                                                                         Physical Data                                    ______________________________________                                         H                --           Confirmed by                                                                   .sup.1 H-NMR data                                CH.sub.3         L                                                              ##STR70##       L                                                              ##STR71##       L                                                              ##STR72##       L                                                             CH.sub.2CH.sub.2SCH.sub.3                                                                       L                                                              CH.sub.2COOH    L                                                              ##STR73##       L            Confirmed by NMR data                            (CH.sub.2).sub.3NH.sub.2                                                                        L                                                             (CH.sub.2).sub.4NH.sub.2                                                                        L                                                             (CH.sub.2).sub.4NH.sub.2 × CF.sub.3 COOH                                                  L                                                              ##STR74##       L                                                              ##STR75##       L                                                              ##STR76##       D/L                                                            ##STR77##       D/L                                                            ##STR78##       L                                                             ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         N-Acylderivatives of nikkomycin Z with reactive                                esters                                                                          ##STR79##                                                                     R.sub.z               Physical Data                                            ______________________________________                                         (CH.sub.2).sub.14CH.sub.3                                                                            Confirmed by                                                                   .sup.1 H-NMR data                                        (CHCH).sub.2CH.sub.3                                                           (CH.sub.2).sub.10NH.sub.2                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     N-Acylation of nikkomycin C.sub.Z with α-amino                           acid reactive esters                                                            ##STR80##                                                                                           Configuration                                            R.sub.z               of α-NH.sub.2                                                                    Physical Data                                    __________________________________________________________________________     CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3                                                                             D       Confirmed by                                                                   .sup.1 H-NMR data                                CH.sub.2CH.sub.2SCH.sub.3                                                                            L                                                        (CH.sub.2).sub.3CH.sub.3                                                                             D                                                         ##STR81##            D/L                                                       ##STR82##            D/L                                                       ##STR83##            D/L                                                       ##STR84##            D/L                                                       ##STR85##            D/L     Confirmed by NMR data                             ##STR86##            D/L                                                       ##STR87##            D                                                         ##STR88##            D/L                                                       ##STR89##            D                                                         ##STR90##            L                                                         ##STR91##            D/L     Confirmed by H-NMR data                           ##STR92##            L                                                         ##STR93##            D                                                         ##STR94##            L                                                         ##STR95##            D/L                                                       ##STR96##            D/L                                                      additionally:                                                                   ##STR97##                                                                                            ##STR98##                                               __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         N-Alkylation of nikkomycin C.sub.Z with α-amino-                         aldehydes                                                                       ##STR99##                                                                                           Con-                                                                           figuration                                                                              Physical                                        R.sub.z               of α-NH.sub.2                                                                     Data                                            ______________________________________                                         C.sub.6 H.sub.13      D/L      Confirmed                                                                      by                                                                             .sup.1 H-NMR                                                                   data                                            CH.sub.3SCH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                                            L                                                         ##STR100##           D/L                                                       ##STR101##           D/L                                                       ##STR102##           D/L                                                       ##STR103##           D/L                                                       ##STR104##           D/L      Confirmed by NMR data                            ##STR105##           D/L                                                       ##STR106##           L                                                         ##STR107##           D/L      Confirmed by NMR data                            ##STR108##           D/L                                                      (R,R-configuration)                                                             ##STR109##           D/L                                                       ##STR110##                                                                    ______________________________________                                          .sup.(x) mixtures of diastereoisomers                                    

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         N-Alkylation of nikkomycin C.sub.Z                                              ##STR111##                                                                    R.sub.z               Physical Data                                            ______________________________________                                         CH.sub.2(CH.sub.2).sub.10NH.sub.2                                                                    Confirmed by                                                                   .sup.1 H-NMR data                                         ##STR112##                                                                     ##STR113##                                                                    ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Derivatives with substitution in the nucleoside                                portion                                                                         ##STR114##                                                                    R                     Physical Data                                            ______________________________________                                         Nikkomycin Z          Confirmed by                                                                   .sup.1 H-NMR data                                         ##STR115##                                                                    Nikkomycin X                                                                    ##STR116##                                                                     ##STR117##                                                                     ##STR118##                                                                    x TFA                                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The compositions according to the invention can be used according to the invention and display antimicrobial actions, in particular powerful antimycotic actions. They possess a very broad antimycotic action spectrum, especially against dermatophytes and yeasts

as well as biphasic fungi, for example against varieties of Candida, such as Canadida albicans, varieties of Epidermophyton, such as Epidermophyton floccosum, varieties of Aspergillus, such as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus, varieties of Trichophyton, such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes, varieties of Microsporon, such as Microsporon felineum and varieties of Torulopsis, such as Torulopsis glabrata. The listing of these micro-organisms in no way implies a limitation of the germs which can be combated but is only of illustrative character. Such fungi include also Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Examples which may be mentioned of fields of indication in human medicine are: dermatomycoses and systemic mycoses caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and other varieties of Trichlophyton, varieties of Microsporon, Epideermophyton floccosum, yeasts and biphasic fungi as well as moulds and varieties of Candida.

Examples which may be mentioned of field of indication in veterinary medicine are: all dermatomycoses and systemic mycoses, especially those caused by the abovementioned pathogens.

The present invention includes pharmaceutical formulations which, in addition to non-toxic, inert pharmaceutically suitable excipients, contain one or more active compounds according to the invention, or which consist of one or more active compounds according to the invention, as well as processes for the preparation of these formulations.

The present invention also inlcudes pharmaceutical formulations in dosage units. This means that the formulations are in the form of individual parts, for example tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, suppositories and ampoules, of which the content of active compound corresponds to a fraction or a multiple of an individual dose. The dosage units can contain, for example, 1, 2, 3 or 4 individual doses or 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4 of an individual dose. An individual dose preferably contains the amount of active compound which is given in one administration and which usually corresponds to a whole, a half, a third or a quarter of a daily dose.

By non-toxic, inert pharmaceutically suitable excipients there are to be understood solid, semi-solid or liquid diluents, fillers and formulation auxiliaries of every kind.

Tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, granules, suppositories, solutions, suspensions and emulsions, pastes, ointments, gels, creams lotions, powders and sprays may be mentioned as preferred pharmaceutical formulations.

Tablets, dragees, capsules, pills and granules can contain the active compound or compounds alongside the customary excipients, such as (a) fillers and extenders, for example starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol and silica, (b) binders, for example carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatine and polvinylpyrrolidone, (c) humectants, for example glycerol, (d) disintegrating agents, for example agar-agar, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, (d) solution retarders, for example paraffin, and (f) resorption accelerators, for example cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, (h) adsorbents, for example kaolin and bentonite, and (i) lubricants, for example talc, calcium stearate and magnesium stearate and solid polyethylene glycols, or mixtures of the substances listed under (a) to (i).

The talbets, dragees, capsules, pills and granules can be provided with the customary coatings and shells, optionally containing opacifying agents, and can also be of such composition that they release the active compound or compounds only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tracts, optionally in a delayed manner, examples of embedding compositions which can be used being polymeric substances and waxes.

The active compound or compounds, optionally together with one or more of the abovementioned excipients cna also be in a micro-encapsulated form.

Suppositories can contain, in addition to the active compound or compounds, the customary water-soluble or water-insolubel excipients, for example polyethylene glycols, fats, for example cacao fat, an higher esters (for example C₁₄ -alcohol with C₁₆ -fatty acid), or mixtures of these substances.

Ointments, pastes, creams and gels can contain, in addition to the active compound or compounds, the customary excipients, for example animal and vegetable fats, waxes, paraffins, starches, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silica, talc and zinc oxide, or mixtures of these substances.

Powders and sprays can contain, in addition to the active compound or compounds, the customary excipients, for example lactose, talc, silica, aluminium hydroxide, calcium silicate and polyamide powders or mixtures of these substances. Sprays can additionally contain the customary propellants, for example chlorofluorohydrocarbons.

Solutions and emulsions can contain, in addition to the active compound or compounds, the customary excipients, such as solvents, solubilising agents and emulsifiers, for example water, ethyl, alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils, especially cottonseed oil, groundnut oil, maize germ oil, olive oil, castor oil and sesame oil, glycerol-formal, tetrahydrofurfuuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitane, or mixtures of these substances.

For parenteral administration, the solutions and emulsions can also be in a sterile form which is isotonic with blood.

Suspensions can contain, in addition to the active compound or compounds, the customary excipients, such as liquid diluents, for example water, ethyl alcohol or propylene glycol, suspending agents, for example ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol esters and sorbitane esters, micro-crystalline cellulose, aluminium metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, or mixtures of these substances.

The formulation forms mentioned can also contain colorants, preservatives and additives which improve the odour and flavour, for example peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil, and sweeteners, for example saccharin.

The therapeutically active compounds should preferably be present in the abovementioned pharmaceutical formulations in a concentration of about 0.1 to 99.5, preferably of about 0.5 to 95, % by weight of the total mixture.

The abovementioned pharmaceutical formulations can also contain other pharmaceutical active compounds in addition to the active compounds according to the invention.

The abovementioned pharmaceutical formulations are prepared in the customary manner according to known methods, for example by mixing the active compound or compounds with the excipient or excipients.

The present invention also includes the use of the active compounds according to the invention, and of pharmaceutical formulations which contain one or more active compounds according to the invention, in human and veterinary medicine, for the prevention, alleviation and/or cure of the abovementioned diseases.

The active compounds or the pharmaceutical formulations can be administered locally, orally, parenterally, intraperitoneally and/or rectally, preferably parenterally, and in particular intravenously, and aerosilized.

In general, it has proved advantageous both in human medicine and in veterinary medicine, to administer the active compound or compounds according to the invention in total amounts of about 10 to 300, preferably 50 to 200, mg/kg of body weight every 24 hours, optionally in the form of several individual administrations, in order to achieve the desired results.

However, it can be necessary to deviate from the dosages mentioned, and in particular to do so as a function of the species and the body weight of the subject to be treated, the nature and severity of the disease, the nature of the formulation and of the administration of the medicament and the time or interval over which the administration takes place. Thus it can in some cases suffice to manage with less than the abovementioned amount of active compound, whilst in other cases the abovementioned amount of active compound must be exceeded. The particular optimum required and the type of administration of the active compounds can esily be determined by anyone skilled in the art on the basis of his expert knowledge.

The following formulae show compounds according to the invention. The figures in parenthesis stand for their efficacy in C. albicans infected mice. CFW-1 mice were infected intraveneously with 6×10⁵ cfu of Candida albicans. 100 mg/kg of active substance were administered orally 2 times daily during 3 days starting with the day of infection. Data were determined after 12 to 14 days when 80-90% of the control animals were dead.

Efficacy is defined as follows: 2 means that compound show activity. 3 means good activity and 4 represents very good efficacy. ##STR119##

To test the ability of nikkomycin derivatives and azoles to act synergistically, checkerboard in vitro assay was performed using the yeast Canida albicans.

Materials and Methods

Candida albicans strain B311 was grown overnight in glucose-yeast extract broth, washed, and adjusted to the desired density.

The tests were performed in 96-well microtiter plates using yeast nitrogen broth with dextrose and asparagine as the growth medium. The test materials were dissolved, diluted serially, then transferred to the appropriate wells of the microtifier plates so that the final concentrations ranged from 0.02-1 millimolar for the nikkomycins, and 0.06-64 micrograms for the azoles. All wells were inoculated with 10,000 organisms per milliliter (final concentration) and the plates incubated at 30° C. for 48 hours. The plates were then examined and the degree of growth for each well noted. Endpoints were determined for each row as being the lowest concentration showing the complete inhibition of growth. Data were plotted as isobolograms showing the endpoints for the single compounds, as well as the endpoints for the various combinations.

Results

The data for the assays are presented in FIGS. 1-4. As can be seen, for the azole R3783, the addition of nikkomycin derivatives results in a dramatic lowering of the endpoints in comparison to the endpoints for the single agents. As an example, FIG. 1 shows the endpoints for R3783 alone to be 64 micrograms/milliliter and 1.0 millimolar for the nikkomycins. Surprisingly, with the concentrations of the combinations employed for this example, no growth was detected in the wells containing at least 0.125 mM nikkomycin R 5124 and 0.125 μg/ml of the azole R3783. Thus, the endpoint for the combination was reduced a minimum of 600-fold with respect to the azole endpoint, clear evidence of synergy for these two classes to drugs. 

We claim:
 1. A method of treating an animal infected with fungi, the method comprising administering to the animal synergistically effective amounts of nikkomycin derivative selected from the group consisting of compounds having the following structures ##STR120## and an azole antimycotic having the following structure ##STR121## the amounts of the nikkomycin derivative and the azole antimycotic being in a ratio of 1:1 to 30:1.
 2. The method according to claim 1 comprising administering to the animal of from 1 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kg of body weight per day of the nikkomycin derivative and the azole antimycotic.
 3. The method according to claim 1 comprising oral administering of the nikkomycin derivative and the azole antimycotic.
 4. An antimycotic composition comprising a synergistically fungicidally effective amount of a nikkomycin derivative selected from the group consisting of compounds having the following structures ##STR122## and an azole having the following structure ##STR123## the amounts of the nikkomycin derivative and the azole antimycotic being in a ratio of 1:1 to 30:1. 